§ 21. Mr. GINNELLasked the Home Secretary for what offence, if any, William O'Reilly, an Irish prisoner at Frongoch, has been for eight days isolated from the other prisoners and confined to a cell there; whether the special treatment comprised other features; what tribunal imposed the punishment; whether he was afforded any opportunity of explaining or defending himself; and whether the punishment is at an end?
Mr. SAMUELIf this question refers to Michael O'Reilly, an Irish prisoner, at Frongoch, I am informed by the commandant at the camp that this man was sentenced on the 13th July to 165 hours' close confinement for inciting his fellow prisoners to insubordination. Close confinement entails a certain reduction in the scale of diet, which has to be approved by the medical officer, and is carried out in the camp cells. The man was not continuously confined, inasmuch as he was allowed walking exercise for at least two hours daily. The punishment was imposed by the usual Commandant's Court, and O'Reilly was allowed to defend himself. The punishment is now at an end.